Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi launches Emergency Road Maintenance Campaign
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, today joined the road department’s 260-strong maintenance crew to repair potholes that have developed on the N14 and Hendrik Potgieter Road as a result of the recent heavy rainfall.
Vadi initiated an emergency maintenance programme to deal with the extensive damage to the provincial road network, which saw several bridges collapsing; sinkholes being formed (for example at Elardus Park from Wierda to Olifansfontein), and multiple potholes appearing on both municipal and provincial roads. The estimated damage to the provincial road network is in excess of R50 million.
“We have made a province-wide assessment of damages to our roads and repair work has started in earnest,” said Vadi.
“It’s not just potholes that worry us, but a number of low lying bridges have been severely damaged and sinkholes have emerged in some areas. Fortunately, no major provincial road has washed away in our province,” he added.
Some of the bridges that have collapsed are along Weaver Road in Kameeldrift; Shickfontein Road in Heidelberg and Heronbridge Road near Krugersdorp. Vadi said these are earmarked for urgent repairs. He confirmed that repairs to the damaged bridge on Witkoppen Road will commence shortly.
Vadi also announced that the N14 – a part of province’s freeway network that serves as a link between Mogale City and Tshwane carrying more than 25 000 vehicles per day – is to be rehabilitated over the next two years.
The 40km freeway stretch from the Brakfontein Interchange in Centurion to the intersection with Hendrik Potgieter Road in Mogale City is estimated to cost R500 million and will be tackled in two phases.
He added that tenders have been issued for the upgrading of the N12 between the Misgund Interchange (near Eldorado Park south of Johannesburg) and Merafong; the R28 between Randfontein and Vereeniging; and the R55 (Quagga Road) between Laudium and Atteridgevile.
Other key provincial roads to be repaired are the remaining portions of Golden Highway along Eldorado Park/Devaland and the R101.
Vadi emphasized that the upgrades of the N12 and N14 freeways will not be tolled and that funding will come from the department’s budget.
For more information:
Head of Communications
Octavia Mamabolo
Cell: 082 316 8666
Tel: 011 355 7300
Email: Octavia.Mamabolo@gauteng.gov.za
